Construction work is finally due to start next month at the site of a former chocolate factory in Greenbank, developers say.

The site of the former Elizabeth Shaw Chocolate Factory in Co-Operation Road, Easton, has sat empty and increasingly derelict for more than a decade since production at the confectionery business was closed, with a number of incidents involving antisocial behaviour being reported on the plot of land.

The man was retrieved unharmed by Avon Fire and Rescue, however the incident has once again sparked safety fears around the dilapidated buildings.

(Image: James Beck/Freelance)

However, after years of debate and protest around the plans for the site over the number of affordable homes the development would include, Generator, who own the site have confirmed that construction will begin in November. No affordable housing will be created on site under the approved planning consent.

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A spokesperson for the group said: “Generator South West will shortly commence construction of 140 new homes comprising 96 apartments and 44 houses together with c. 15,000 square feet of flexible work space, café/bar and a community hub commercial, retail and community space.

“Before commencement, near neighbours of the site will receive our first construction newsletter. This newsletter will include details on what works to expect in the first weeks and months of construction, the on-site working hours, and the contact details of our selected contractor should there be any queries during the construction process.

(Image: James Beck/Freelance)

“The construction newsletter will also include details of a ‘Meet the Contractor’ drop in event, which will be held at a venue close to the site and give local people a chance to meet the on-site and development team, and find out more about the construction activity to expect over the coming months.

“Our website – www.chocolatefactorybristol.co.uk – will shortly be updated with more information and also keep an eye on our Twitter feed @ChocFactoryBris for updates.”

The news that construction work is due imminently has come as a relief to some, after continued concerns about the safety of the site. Easton Councillor Afzal Shah described how antisocial behaviour including trespassing and abandoned vehicles had plagued the area for a number of years - with one parent informing him that just last week she had found used needles on the pavement next to the site whilst playing with her child.

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He said: “Though there some concerns about the development from residents, I believe that news of the imminent construction will come as a relief to many who have been concerned about the antisocial behaviour attached to the derelict buildings.

(Image: James Beck/Freelance)

“I have been hearing stories from residents for years about the things they have had to put up with, from drug use to abandoned vehicles, for years, and am hopeful that the development will limit those kinds of concerns.

“People in Greenbank have put up with the uncertainty around the chocolate factory for too long, any while it might not make everybody happy I do believe that it will make a positive difference to the area.”

A resident who wished only to be identified as Giles has lived in Turley Road, adjacent to the site, since 1991. He said: “I remember when the biggest problem we had on this street was the factory door slamming in the middle of the night after the workers had finished their late shift, and things have changed quite a lot since then.

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“There have been some problems with antisocial behaviour around here, especially with kids getting bored over the summer holidays and messing around on the factory site, so I can understand why people would be relieved to see the work begin.

“Personally I’ll miss it as it’s such an iconic feature of the area and means so much to so many people who live in Greenbank, but it’s now unfortunately fallen into such a state of disrepair that there’s nothing left to do other than redevelop the whole site.”

(Image: James Beck/Freelance)

Other residents have also voiced their disappointment at the imminent construction work at the building, which has stood as a prominent feature of the Greenbank skyline for more than a century.

Sajid Nadeem, 44, worked in the Elizabeth Shaw chocolate factory for 11 years before it closed in 2006, and still lives close to the site. He said: “When I saw the first phase of demolition I was a bit heartbroken to be honest - generations of local people worked there and I think there are a lot of people who who will be really sad to see it gone.

“Of course it has its problems and there have been a few incidents there, but for it to just be gone will really change the character of the area. It’s a big part of Easton, it means a lot to many of the people to live here and there are a lot of memories attached to it.

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“We always have to move forward and we can’t be too nostalgic - it’s a huge area that’s just sitting there wasted at the moment - but I hope it will be done in a way that benefits the area.”

Even some of the area’s newer residents, who never experienced the factory at its height, have described their regret about the development work.

Claudio Ahlers, 52, has lived in Camelford Road, adjacent to the chocolate factory, for the past seven months. He said: “It’s regrettable that the factory is about to be changed in such a huge way - I love living next to it and think it’s a huge part of the fabric of the area.

“It’s quite a romantic thing, in a way, to have on your doorstep, and I wish that the redevelopment was going to stay truer to the original building. I understand that something has to be done with the land, but it will be a real shame to see it go.”